. . . Development in Calabasas

As a Calabasas homeowner, I have followed with interest The Times’ coverage of efforts by the Ahmanson Co. to win county approval for its proposed commercial development in the heart of Calabasas. This massive 67-acre, $150-million hotel and office complex would overwhelm and destroy the small-town charm of Calabasas, not to mention snarling our streets with traffic. For these very reasons, the regional planning commissioners have refused so far to approve the project, calling on Ahmanson to reduce its size and answer questions of traffic impact.

Facing resistance from homeowners and county planners, Ahmanson has reduced the density by 250,000 square feet. But the remaining 1.4-million-square-foot project is grossly disproportionate for our community. It would be like putting the Warner Center in the middle of Carmel!

An article Jan. 20 reported that homeowners in the new Westridge subdivision, adjacent to the Ahmanson project, will ask county planners to shave Ahmanson’s 12 proposed buildings from five and six stories to three stories each. In fact, at the Westridge homeowners meeting Jan. 17, I asked my neighbors to sign a petition calling for a two-story height limit for Ahmanson. Every homeowner in attendance signed.

MARCIA ABAD

Calabasas